ISLAMABAD, Oct 27: Celebrating the rich cultural and historical heritage of Pakistan Ajoka will hit stage on Friday bringing three of its most celebrated plays to the National Art Gallery (NAG).

Raja Rasalu that would hit stage on October 29 was the folk tale of Raja Rasalu who was part of Punjabi folklore since ancient times. This tale was about the lives and adventures of the two sons of Raja Salvahan of Sialkot, Puran and Rasalu.

The play was based on the 'qissas' and stories which the storytellers of the Punjab had been singing and reciting for centuries.

Ajoka's most popular play Bullha would be shown on October 30 to highlight the struggle of the great Punjabi mystic Bulleh Shah against the religious orthodoxy of his time and his plea for peace, tolerance and humanism was as relevant today as it was in his times.

Ajoka's new play “Dara” to be shown on October 31 was about the less-known but extremely dramatic and moving story of Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Emperor Shahjahan, who was imprisoned and executed by his younger brother Aurangzeb.

Dara was not only a crown prince but also a poet, a painter and a Sufi.

The play also explored the existential conflict between Dara the crown prince, and Dara the Sufi and the poet.

Ajoka had been part of the struggle for a secular, democratic just and egalitarian Pakistan for more than two decades.

Today Ajoka was an internationally respected name in the world of theatre and its contributions to promote art and culture and the struggle for social justice and peace were well regarded.